Drain cleaning device



Oct 8, 1935. A. F. HOPEWELL DRAIN CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 12, 1954 oke/ y Patented Oct. 8, 1935 DRAIN CLEANING DEVICE Annie F. Hopewell, Ottawa Ontario, Canada Application April 12, 1934, Serial No. 720,275 In Canada October 16, 1933 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a drain cleaning device and appertains to a portable appliance adapted for attachment to an ordinary faucet to direct the water under pressure from the city mains on the obstruction in the drain pipe thus forcibly removing the same.

An object of the invention is to provide a drain cleaner of this character with a drain connection for a recessed stopper seat having an overflow inlet in its side that seals such inlet opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a. drain cleaner of the character described whose drain connection is radially expansible to press into a lateral overflow inlet and secure itself in the stopper seat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drain cleaner having a radially expansible drain connection, for insertion in a recessed stopper seat with a lateral overflow inlet, that rests on the usual cruciform guard and is sealed by longitudinal compression.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a portable drain cleaning device of the nature and for the purpose described that is characterized by structural simplicity, durability, efiiciency and low cost of production whereby the same is rendered commercially desirable.

To the accomplishment ofv these and related objects as shall become apparent as the descrip- 30 tion proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

The invention will be best understood and can be more clearly described when reference is had to the drawing forming a part of this disclosure, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 is an elevation of my cleaner, shown in position in a wash-basin in vertical section;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, of the drain connection; and

Figure 3 is a similar enlarged sectional elevation of such a connection and adapted for use in very deeply recessed stopper seats where the overflow inlet is well below-the basin bottom.

With the use of this invention, the dirt and muss and delay of a disassembly job, usually necessary when a bath or wash-basin drain becomes thoroughly blocked is obviated and the epense of employing skilled labor saved. The device comprises a tap connection of conventional design and a drain insert quickly sealed in the stopper seat that is connected to the tap appliance by a short length of hose so that when the tap is turned on the full force of pressure in the mains is directed on the obstruction that is easily carried out of the drain p1pe.

The tap coupling 5 and length of. hose 6 it carries are of usual type. For application to the opposite end of the hose 6 I provide an exteriorly threaded pipe I with a flanged lower end in the form of a washer 8 sweated on and flush with the 10 said end, the upper side 9 of the washer tapering from the pipe or top to a thin outer edge at the bottom. A sleeve it of soft sponge rubber preferably having a skim coating on its outer diameter lies concentrically around the pipe i and rests on the tapered upper side of the Washer 8. Another washer H, sliding free on the threaded pipe 7 rests on the top of this rubber sleeve and above it a wing nut l2 of suitable size and form is threaded down the pipe 1 to compress the rubber sleeve ll! longitudinally between the loose washer I I and tapered washer 8 sweated on the end of the pipe 1 and thereby cause its radial bulging or expansion that is more intense or pronounced near the lower end of the sleeve due to the bevelled upper surface 9 of the washer 8.

Following the assembly of this sealing nozzle drain insert the free end of the hose 6 is attached to the upper end of the threaded pipe 1.

In the modified form of nozzle shown in Figure 3, an auxiliarly longitudinally slidable washer in the form of an outer pipe or sleeve [5 closely surrounds the threaded pipe 1 and lies disposed between the free washer II and the wing nut l2.

The device is installed by inserting the nozzle piece in the drain opening or stopper seat of a wash-basin or bath, whose drain pipe has become clogged, until the flanged end or sweated-on washer rests on the cruciform guard and the rubber sleeve lies opposite the overflow opening or openings when the wing nut is tightened down, spreading the sleeve radially by its longitudinal compression and the bearing against the tapered washer surface so that it presses against the sides of the pipe or washer seat and into the overflow openings blocking these openings and securely binding the nozzle piece in the drain or stopper seat. The tap coupling on the other end of the hose is attached to the faucet and the latter turned on. To remove, the wing nut is loosened and the nozzle lifted and the tap coupling withdrawn.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be manifest that a drain cleaning device is provided that will fulfill all the necessary requirements of such a device but as many changes could be made in the above description and many apparently widely diiferent embodiments of my invention may be constructed within the scope of the appended claims vrithout departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matters contained in the said accompanying specification and drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitative or restrictive sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Let-' ters Patent is:--

1. A drain cleaner comprising a nozzle, a flange on the lower end thereof tapered on its upper surface and a radially expansible rubber sleeve about said nozzle resting on the tapered upper surface of said flange.

2. A drain cleaner comprising a nozzle, a flange on the lower end thereof tapered on its upper surface, a rubber sleeve about said nozzle and resting on the tapered upper surface of said flange and means for bulging said sleeve radially.

3. A drain cleaner comprising a nozzle, a flange on the lower end thereof tapered on its upper surface, a rubber sleeve about said nozzle and resting on the tapered upper surface of said flange, a washer loosely surrounding said nozzle superposing said rubber sleeve and a wing nut above said washer and threaded on said nozzle to compress said rubber sleeve longitudinally against the tapered upper surface of said flange.

l. A drain cleaner comprising a nozzle, 2, flange on the lower end thereof tapered on its upper surface, a rubber sleeve about said nozzle and resting on the tapered upper surface of said flange, a washer loosely surrounding said nozzle superposing said rubber sleeve, an extension sleeve about said nozzle overlying said washer and a wing nut above said extension sleeve and threaded on said nozzle to compress said rubber sleeve longitudinally against the tapered upper surface of said flange.

5. In a drain cleaner, a nozzle end for insertion in the drain opening or stopper seat of a wash-basin or the like, and a rubber member on said nozzle end adapted to be expanded radially with such expansion more pronounced near the bottom thereof.

6. In a drain cleaner, a nozzle end for insertion in the drain opening or stopper seat of a wash-basin or the like, a radially expansible rubber sleeve on said nozzle end and means for intensifying the expansion of said sleeve near the bottom.

7. In a drain cleaner, a nozzle end for insertion in the drain opening or stopper seat of a wash-basin or the like, comprising a tube member externally threaded throughout its length; a flange tapered on its upper surface threaded and brazed on the lower end of said tube member; a rubber sleeve encircling said tube member and resting on the tapered surface of said flange; a washer loosely surrounding said tube member superposing said rubber sleeve; a wing nut above said washer and threaded on said tube member and a hose connection at the upper end of said tube member.

8. In a drain cleaner, a nozzle end for insertion in the drain opening or stopper seat of a. wash basin or the like, comprising a tube member externally threaded throughout its length; a flange having its upper surface tapered to the extreme outer and lower edge, threaded and brazed on said tube member flush with the lower end thereof; a rubber sleeve encircling said tube member and resting on the tapered surface of said flange its lower end adapted when expanded to extend to the plane of the under surface of said flange thereby allowing pressure to be applied to the lowermost point in the opening into which the nozzle is inserted; a washer loosely surrounding said tube member superposlng said rubber sleeve; a wing nut above said washer and threaded on said tube member and a hose connection at the upper end of said tube member.

ANNIE F. HOPEWELL. [n.al 

